You Gave a Shit in Your Pants While Jogging, Now What?
If you have been jogging for a while, chances are that at one point or another you had to make an emergency pit stop in order to poop during a long run. If you were lucky, there was a bathroom nearby. If you weren’t … well, let’s never talk about this again.
The running trot (also called a runner’s gut or runner’s belly) is a euphemism for a strong urge to use the toilet during or after a run, which can also be accompanied by abdominal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. While it can be awkward and awkward, it is also a normal part of running.
If you ever doubt that your condition is serious, it is best to consult a doctor, but if you are only experiencing occasional episodes of trotting, there are several ways to reduce the likelihood of it happening again.
Running trot is a common condition.
In a study of distance runners, 62 percent reported having to stop while running to empty their bowels (12% during the actual run), and nearly half reported nervous diarrhea before the race. Keep in mind that this is self-reported data, which means that some respondents may have a case of highly induced runner amnesia, while others may have been too embarrassed to report it.
The running trot episode is a distinctly uncomfortable experience that combines the strenuous strenuousness of long-distance running, the agony of an upset digestive system, and the paralyzing fear of what will happen if you can’t get to the toilet in time.
When this happens, the runner may only have a few minutes to get to the bathroom before he gets his pants back. It can happen to the best of us, with higher rates of the disease seen in young runners, women, and people who regularly run long distances.
What causes a runner’s trot?
In a 2014 review of gastrointestinal complaints during exercise , the authors identified three main causes of this unfortunate ailment: physiological, mechanical, and nutritional.
Physiological
When you run, most of the blood that normally goes into your gastrointestinal tract goes to your muscles. Your gastrointestinal system needs a lot of oxygenated blood to function properly; your muscles need it even more when you run. Decreased blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract leads to a decrease in water absorption as well as a slowdown in its normal activity, which can lead to digestive problems.
Dehydration can exacerbate the problem, leading to an increased likelihood of symptoms during or after running.
Mechanical
Running is a highly effective activity. This means that when you go for a run, anything moving along your gastrointestinal tract is pushed around , which can disrupt everything that happens there. For the lower gastrointestinal tract, this can lead to symptoms such as flatulence, diarrhea, and increased urge to poop.
This pushing can also cause some damage to the lining of the intestinal tract, which can lead to the very funny symptom of rectal bleeding after a long run . (Runner is a hell of a drug!)
Nutritious
What we eat can have a big impact on our running performance. According to a 2014 review of gastrointestinal complaints during exercise , foods high in fiber, fat, protein, and fructose are the most problematic foods, which are associated with a high risk of gastrointestinal problems. Dehydration is also a major culprit, although there is some conflicting evidence suggesting that high-sugar drinks can also cause problems.
For some people,caffeine can cause problems , while sugar alcohols such as artificial sweeteners found in a lot of processed foods can also cause problems while running. If you are particularly sensitive to caffeine, try to limit your intake before jogging, and get in the habit of checking the ingredient list of any processed foods, such as protein bars or shakes, for sugar alcohols instead of sugar. which could cause certain problems.
Generally speaking, it is best to avoid foods high in fat, fiber, and protein just before your run. Instead, choose an easily digestible carbohydrate like a banana. Eat or drink as little as possible while running. You should also avoid eating new foods before or during a long run or race as you don’t know how your body might react.
If you regularly experience gastrointestinal problems, in addition to visiting your doctor, keeping a food diary can also help, as we all react differently to food.
How to prevent running trot
Good to know all of this information, but you really want the answer to one question L How can I avoid shitting in my pants while jogging? While you cannot completely prevent a runner from trotting, you can reduce the likelihood of a recurrence by following these guidelines:
- Stay Properly Hydrated
- Avoid foods high in fat, fiber, or protein just before running, and stick to easily digestible carbohydrates instead.
- Avoid too much caffeine or sugar alcohol before running.
- Keep a food diary to identify triggered foods.
- If in doubt, see your doctor to have it checked.
The good news is that running is an effective way to relieve constipation . Just make sure you are always close to the bathroom.